The present invention concerns harringtonines salts never described at the crystalline state exhibiting a protonated nitrogen seen in solid state analysis and having general formula 1, in which R1 is, but not limited to, alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl or heterocycloalkyl, and R2 is, independently, but not limited to H, alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl or heterocycloalkyl, with an acid having general formula AH in a non-aqueous crystallization solvent, wherein the said sait has a large water solubility. The invention also related to a process for preparing and purifying these salts and their use as chemotherapeutic drugs.